MyMedR

Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 118 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Characterization of the plastid genome of Cratoxylum species (Hypericaceae) and new insights into phylogenetic relationships

Sudmoon R, Kaewdaungdee S, Tanee T, Siripiyasing P, Ameamsri U, Syazwan SA, et al.

Sci Rep, 2022 Nov 05;12(1):18810.
PMID: 36335203 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23639-2

To expand the genomic information of Hypericaceae, particularly on Cratoxylum, we characterized seven novel complete plastid genomes (plastomes) of five Cratoxylum and two of its allied taxa, including C. arborescens, C. formosum subsp. formosum, C. formosum subsp. pruniflorum, C. maingayi, C. sumatranum, Hypericum hookerianum, and Triadenum breviflorum. For Cratoxylum, the plastomes ranged from 156,962 to 157,792 bp in length. Genomic structure and gene contents were observed in the five plastomes, and were comprised of 128-129 genes, which includes 83-84 protein-coding (CDS), 37 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes. The plastomes of H. hookerianum and T. breviflorum were 138,260 bp and 167,693 bp, respectively. A total of 110 and 127 genes included 72 and 82 CDS, 34 and 37 tRNA, as well as four and eight rRNA genes. The reconstruction of the phylogenetic trees using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) trees based on the concatenated CDS and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences that were analyzed separately have revealed the same topology structure at genus level; Cratoxylum is monophyletic. However, C. formosum subsp. pruniflorum was not clustered together with its origin, raising doubt that it should be treated as a distinct species, C. pruniflorum based on molecular evidence that was supported by morphological descriptions.
Fulltext Quantitative Analysis and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Paddy Plants Collected from Perak, Malaysia

Sibuar AA, Zulkafflee NS, Selamat J, Ismail MR, Lee SY, Abdull Razis AF

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Jan 10;19(2).
PMID: 35055550 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020731

Rice is one of the major crops as well as the staple food in Malaysia. However, historical mining activity has raised a concern regarding heavy metal contamination in paddy plants, especially in Perak, a state with major tin mining during the late nineteenth century. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the heavy metals (As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr) contamination in paddy soils and paddy plants in three districts in Perak. The content of heavy metals was determined using ICP-MS, while the absorption and transferability of heavy metals in the paddy plants were investigated through enrichment (EF) and translocation (TF) factors. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to recognize the pattern of heavy metal contaminations in different sampling areas. Health risk assessment was performed through calculation of various indices. The quantification results showed that root contained highest concentration of the studied heavy metals, with As exhibiting the highest concentration. The EF results revealed the accumulation of As, Cu, and Cr in the rice grains while PCA showed the different compositional pattern in the different sampling areas. The health risk assessment disclosed both noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks in the local adults and children. Overall, findings from this study show that heavy metal contamination poses potential health risks to the residents and control measure is required.
Integration process of fermentation and liquid biphasic flotation for lipase separation from Burkholderia cepacia

Sankaran R, Show PL, Lee SY, Yap YJ, Ling TC

Bioresour Technol, 2018 Feb;250:306-316.
PMID: 29174909 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.11.050

Liquid Biphasic Flotation (LBF) is an advanced recovery method that has been effectively applied for biomolecules extraction. The objective of this investigation is to incorporate the fermentation and extraction process of lipase from Burkholderia cepacia using flotation system. Initial study was conducted to compare the performance of bacteria growth and lipase production using flotation and shaker system. From the results obtained, bacteria shows quicker growth and high lipase yield via flotation system. Integration process for lipase separation was investigated and the result showed high efficiency reaching 92.29% and yield of 95.73%. Upscaling of the flotation system exhibited consistent result with the lab-scale which are 89.53% efficiency and 93.82% yield. The combination of upstream and downstream processes in a single system enables the acceleration of product formation, improves the product yield and facilitates downstream processing. This integration system demonstrated its potential for biomolecules fermentation and separation that possibly open new opportunities for industrial production.
Physicochemical assessment of ammonium adsorption using a palm shell-based adsorbent activated with acetic acid: experimental and theoretical studies

Sahu JN, Dhaouadi F, Sellaoui L, Khor LX, Lee SY, Daud WMAW, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024 Mar 25.
PMID: 38526713 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33002-9

The adsorption of ammonium from water was studied on an activated carbon obtained using raw oil palm shell and activated with acetic acid. The performance of this adsorbent was tested at different operating conditions including the solution pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial ammonium concentration. Kinetic and equilibrium studies were carried out, and their results were analyzed with different models. For the adsorption kinetics, the pseudo-first order equation was the best model to correlate this system. Calculated adsorption rate constants ranged from 0.071 to 0.074 g/mg min. The ammonium removal was 70-80% at pH 6-8, and it was significantly affected by electrostatic interaction forces. Ammonium removal (%) increased with the adsorbent dosage, and neutral pH condition favored the adsorption of this pollutant. The best ammonium adsorption conditions were identified with a response surface methodology model where the maximum removal was 91.49% with 2.27 g/L of adsorbent at pH 8.11 for an initial ammonium concentration of 36.90 mg/L. The application of a physical monolayer model developed by statistical physics theory indicated that the removal mechanism of ammonium was multi-ionic and involved physical interactions with adsorption energy of 29 kJ/mol. This activated carbon treated with acetic acid is promising to depollute aqueous solutions containing ammonium.
Fulltext Lazertinib Versus Gefitinib Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Treatment-Naíve Patients With EGFR-Mutated Advanced NSCLC: Analysis of the Asian Subpopulation in LASER301

Reungwetwattana T, Cho BC, Lee KH, Pang YK, Fong CH, Kang JH, et al.

J Thorac Oncol, 2023 Oct;18(10):1351-1361.
PMID: 37702629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2023.06.016

INTRODUCTION: Lazertinib is a third-generation central nervous system-penetrant tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting mutant EGFR in NSCLC. Lazertinib exhibited improved efficacy versus gefitinib in the LASER301 study; this subset analysis compared lazertinib with gefitinib among Asian patients.
METHODS: The phase 3 LASER301 study evaluated lazertinib efficacy and safety in treatment-naive patients with EGFR-mutated (exon 19 deletion or L858R) locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Patients were randomized one-to-one and received either lazertinib or gefitinib. The primary end point was investigator-assessed progression-free survival using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. Secondary end points included overall survival, objective response rate, duration of response, and safety.
RESULTS: Between February 13, 2020, and July 29, 2022, among 258 patients of Asian descent, the median progression-free survival was significantly longer with lazertinib than gefitinib (20.6 versus 9.7 mo; hazard ratio: 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-0.63, p < 0.001), and the benefit was consistent across predefined subgroups (exon 19 deletion, L858R, baseline central nervous system metastases). Objective response rate and disease control rates were similar between treatment groups. The median duration of response was 19.4 months (95% CI: 16.6-24.9) versus 9.6 months (95% CI: 6.9-12.4) in the lazertinib versus gefitinib group. Adverse event rates in Asian patients were comparable with the overall LASER301 population. Adverse events leading to discontinuation in the lazertinib and gefitinib groups were 13% and 12%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: In LASER301, efficacy and safety results in Asian patients were consistent with the overall population. Lazertinib exhibited better efficacy than gefitinib in Asian patients with a tolerable safety profile.
Fulltext Complete genome sequence of Sphingomonas paucimobilis AIMST S2, a xenobiotic-degrading bacterium

Ravintheran SK, Sivaprakasam S, Loke S, Lee SY, Manickam R, Yahya A, et al.

Sci Data, 2019 11 25;6(1):280.
PMID: 31767854 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0289-x

Complete genomes of xenobiotic-degrading microorganisms provide valuable resources for researchers to understand molecular mechanisms involved in bioremediation. Despite the well-known ability of Sphingomonas paucimobilis to degrade persistent xenobiotic compounds, a complete genome sequencing is lacking for this organism. In line with this, we report the first complete genome sequence of Sphingomonas paucimobilis (strain AIMST S2), an organophosphate and hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium isolated from oil-polluted soil at Kedah, Malaysia. The genome was derived from a hybrid assembly of short and long reads generated by Illumina HiSeq and MinION, respectively. The assembly resulted in a single contig of 4,005,505 bases which consisted of 3,612 CDS and 56 tRNAs. An array of genes involved in xenobiotic degradation and plant-growth promoters were identified, suggesting its' potential role as an effective microorganism in bioremediation and agriculture. Having reported the first complete genome of the species, this study will serve as a stepping stone for comparative genome analysis of Sphingomonas strains and other xenobiotic-degrading microorganisms as well as gene expression studies in organophosphate biodegradation.
Machine Learning-Assisted Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction and High-Resolution Melt Analysis for SARS-CoV-2 Variant Identification

Promja S, Puenpa J, Achakulvisut T, Poovorawan Y, Lee SY, Athamanolap P, et al.

Anal Chem, 2023 Jan 12.
PMID: 36633573 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05112

Since the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic in early 2020, multiple variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) have been detected. The emergence of multiple variants has raised concerns due to their impact on public health. Therefore, it is crucial to distinguish between different viral variants. Here, we developed a machine learning web-based application for SARS-CoV-2 variant identification via duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with high-resolution melt (qPCR-HRM) analysis. As a proof-of-concept, we investigated the platform's ability to identify the Alpha, Delta, and wild-type strains using two sets of primers. The duplex qPCR-HRM could identify the two variants reliably in as low as 100 copies/μL. Finally, the platform was validated with 167 nasopharyngeal swab samples, which gave a sensitivity of 95.2%. This work demonstrates the potential for use as automated, cost-effective, and large-scale viral variant surveillance.
Fulltext Prevalence of PALB2 mutations in breast cancer patients in multi-ethnic Asian population in Malaysia and Singapore

Phuah SY, Lee SY, Kang P, Kang IN, Yoon SY, Thong MK, et al.

PLoS One, 2013;8(8):e73638.
PMID: 23977390 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073638

The partner and localizer of breast cancer 2 (PALB2) is responsible for facilitating BRCA2-mediated DNA repair by serving as a bridging molecule, acting as the physical and functional link between the breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer 2 (BRCA2) proteins. Truncating mutations in the PALB2 gene are rare but are thought to be associated with increased risks of developing breast cancer in various populations.
Fulltext Cross-amplification of microsatellite markers across agarwood-producing species of the Aquilarieae tribe (Thymelaeaceae)

Pern YC, Lee SY, Ng WL, Mohamed R

3 Biotech, 2020 Mar;10(3):103.
PMID: 32099744 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-020-2072-2

Tree species in the Aquilarieae tribe of the Thymelaeaceae family produce agarwood, a natural product highly valued for its fragrance, but the species are under threat due to indiscriminate harvesting. For conservation of these species, molecular techniques such as DNA profiling have been used. In this study, we assessed cross-amplification of microsatellite markers, initially developed for three Aquilaria species (A.crassna, A.malaccensis, and A.sinensis), on ten other agarwood-producing species, including members of Aquilaria (A.beccariana, A.hirta, A.microcarpa, A.rostrata, A.rugosa, A.subintegra, and A.yunnanensis) and Gyrinops (G.caudata, G.versteegii, and G.walla), both from the Aquilarieae tribe. Primers for 18 out of the 30 microsatellite markers successfully amplified bands of expected sizes in 1 sample each of at least 10 species. These were further used to genotype 74 individuals representing all the 13 studied species, yielding 13 cross-amplifiable markers, of which only 1 being polymorphic across all species. At each locus, the number of alleles ranged from 7 to 23, indicating a rather high variability. Four markers had relatively high species discrimination power. Our results demonstrated that genetic fingerprinting can be an effective tool in helping to manage agarwood genetic resources by potentially supporting the chain-of-custody of agarwood and its products in the market.
Impact of BRCA1/2 cascade testing on anxiety, depression, and cancer worry levels among unaffected relatives in a multiethnic Asian cohort

Padmanabhan H, Mariapun S, Lee SY, Hassan NT, Lee DS, Meiser B, et al.

J Genet Couns, 2023 Feb;32(1):43-56.
PMID: 35913122 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1619

Cascade testing for families with BRCA pathogenic variants is important to identify relatives who are carriers. These relatives can benefit from appropriate risk management and preventative strategies arising from an inherited increased risk of breast, ovarian, prostate, melanoma, and pancreatic cancers. Cascade testing has the potential to enable cost-effective cancer control even in low- and middle-income settings, but few studies have hitherto evaluated the psychosocial impact of cascade testing in an Asian population, where the cultural and religious beliefs around inheritance and destiny have previously been shown to influence perception and attitudes toward screening. In this study, we evaluated the short- and long-term psychosocial impact of genetic testing among unaffected relatives of probands identified through the Malaysian Breast Cancer Genetics Study and the Malaysian Ovarian Cancer Study, using validated questionnaires (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Cancer Worry Scale) administered at baseline, and 1-month and 2-year post-disclosure of results. Of the 305 unaffected relatives from 98 independent families who were offered cascade testing, 256 (84%) completed predictive testing and family history of cancers was the only factor significantly associated with uptake of predictive testing. We found that the levels of anxiety, depression, and cancer worry among unaffected relatives decreased significantly after result disclosure and remained low 2-year post-result disclosure. Younger relatives and relatives of Malay descent had higher cancer worry at both baseline and after result disclosure compared to those of Chinese and Indian descent, whereas relatives of Indian descent and those with family history of cancers had higher anxiety and depression levels post-result disclosure. Taken together, the results from this Asian cohort highlight the differences in psychosocial needs in different communities and inform the development of culture-specific genetic counseling strategies.
Prevalence and risk factors for proteinuria: the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia Lifecheck Health Screening programme

Ong LM, Punithavathi N, Thurairatnam D, Zainal H, Beh ML, Morad Z, et al.

Nephrology (Carlton), 2013 Aug;18(8):569-75.
PMID: 23782264 DOI: 10.1111/nep.12112

Aim: Treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a huge burden to the healthcare system. To address the problem, the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia embarked on a programme to screen for proteinuria and educate the public on CKD.

Methods: The public was invited for health screening and the data collected over a 21 month period was analyzed.

Results: In total, 40400 adults from all the states in Malaysia were screened. The screening population had a mean age of 41 years, 30.1% had hypertension and 10.6% had diabetes. Proteinuria was detected in 1.4% and haematuria in 8.9% of the participants. Factors associated with the highest risk for proteinuria were the presence of diabetes (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.63 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.16-3.21)), hypertension (OR 2.49 (95% CI 2.03-3.07)) and cardiac disease (OR 2.05 (95% CI 1.50-2.81)). Other risk factors identified were lower educational level, family history of kidney disease, hypercholesterolaemia, obesity and lack of regular exercise. Chinese had the lowest risk for proteinuria among the races (OR 0.71 (95% CI 0.57-0.87) compared with Malays). The combination of high blood glucose and high blood pressure (BP) substantially increased the risk for proteinuria (OR 38.1 for glucose ≥ 10 mmol/L and systolic BP ≥ 180 mm Hg and OR 47.9 for glucose ≥ 10 mmol/L and diastolic BP ≥ 110 mm Hg).

Conclusion: The prevalence of proteinuria in Malaysia is similar to other countries. The major risk factors for proteinuria were diabetes, hypertension and cardiac disease. The presence of both high blood pressure and high blood glucose exert a synergistic effect in substantially increasing the risk for proteinuria.

Keywords: epidemiology; population studies; proteinuria.
Bioflocculation formation of microalgae-bacteria in enhancing microalgae harvesting and nutrient removal from wastewater effluent

Nguyen TDP, Le TVA, Show PL, Nguyen TT, Tran MH, Tran TNT, et al.

Bioresour Technol, 2019 Jan;272:34-39.
PMID: 30308405 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.09.146

Microalgal bacterial flocs can be a promising approach for microalgae harvesting and wastewater treatment. The present study provides an insight on the bioflocs formation to enhance harvesting of Chlorella vulgaris and the removal of nutrients from seafood wastewater effluent. The results showed that the untreated seafood wastewater was the optimal culture medium for the cultivation and bioflocculation of C. vulgaris, with the flocculating activity of 92.0 ± 6.0%, total suspended solids removal of 93.0 ± 5.5%, and nutrient removal of 88.0 ± 2.2%. The bioflocs collected under this optimal condition contained dry matter of 107.2 ± 5.6 g·L-1 and chlorophyll content of 25.5 ± 0.2 mg·L-1. The results were promising when compared to those obtained from the auto-flocculation process that induced by the addition of calcium chloride and pH adjustment. Additionally, bacteria present in the wastewater aided to promote the formation of bioflocculation process.
Fulltext Clitorienolactones and Isoflavonoids of Clitorea ternatea Roots Alleviate Stress-Like Symptoms in a Reserpine-Induced Zebrafish Model

Ngadni MA, Akhtar MT, Ismail IS, Norazhar AI, Lee SY, Maulidiani M, et al.

Molecules, 2021 Jul 07;26(14).
PMID: 34299411 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144137

Clitorea ternatea has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a brain stimulant to treat mental illnesses and mental functional disorders. In this study, the metabolite profiles of crude C. ternatea root extract (CTRE), ethyl acetate (EA), and 50% aqueous methanol (50% MeOH) fractions were investigated using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS), while their effect on the stress-like behavior of zebrafish, pharmacologically induced with reserpine, was investigated. A total of 32 compounds were putatively identified, among which, a series of norneolignans, clitorienolactones, and various flavonoids (flavone, flavonol, isoflavone, and isoflavanone) was found to comprise the major constituents, particularly in the EA and 50% MeOH fractions. The clitorienolactones, presently unique to the species, were present in both the free and glycosylated forms in the roots. Both the EA and 50% MeOH fractions displayed moderate effects on the stress-induced zebrafish model, significantly decreasing freezing duration and elevating the total distance travelled and average velocity, 72 h post-treatment. The results of the present study provide further evidence that the basis for the use of C. ternatea roots in traditional medicine to alleviate brain-related conditions, such as stress and depression, is attributable to the presence of clitorienolactones and the isoflavonoidal constituents.
Identification of germline alterations in breast cancer predisposition genes among Malaysian breast cancer patients using panel testing

Ng PS, Wen WX, Fadlullah MZ, Yoon SY, Lee SY, Thong MK, et al.

Clin Genet, 2016 10;90(4):315-23.
PMID: 26757417 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12735

Although an association between protein-truncating variants and breast cancer risk has been established for 11 genes, only alterations in BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53 and PALB2 have been reported in Asian populations. Given that the age of onset of breast cancer is lower in Asians, it is estimated that inherited predisposition to breast cancer may be more significant. To determine the potential utility of panel testing, we investigated the prevalence of germline alterations in 11 established and 4 likely breast cancer genes in a cross-sectional hospital-based cohort of 108 moderate to high-risk breast cancer patients using targeted next generation sequencing. Twenty patients (19%) were identified to carry deleterious mutations, of whom 13 (12%) were in the BRCA1 or BRCA2, 6 (6%) were in five other known breast cancer predisposition genes and 1 patient had a mutation in both BRCA2 and BARD1. Our study shows that BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for the majority of genetic predisposition to breast cancer in our cohort of Asian women. Although mutations in other known breast cancer genes are found, the functional significance and breast cancer risk have not yet been determined, thus limiting the clinical utility of panel testing in Asian populations.
Detection of high-risk HPV 16 genotypes in cervical cancers using isothermal DNA amplification with electrochemical genosensor

Nakowong P, Chatchawal P, Chaibun T, Boonapatcharoen N, Promptmas C, Buajeeb W, et al.

Talanta, 2024 Mar 01;269:125495.
PMID: 38043336 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.125495

Cervical cancer emerges as the third most prevalent types of malignancy among women on a global scale. Cervical cancer is significantly associated with the persistent infection of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16. The process of diagnosing is crucial in order to prevent the progression of a condition into a malignant state. The early detection of cervical cancer through initial stage screening is of the utmost significance in both the prevention and effective management of this disease. The present detection methodology is dependent on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), which necessitates the use of a costly heat cycler instrument. In this study, we report the development of an electrochemical DNA biosensor integrated with an isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) reaction for the detection and identification of the high-risk HPV-16 genotype. The electrochemical biosensor exhibited a high degree of specificity and sensitivity, as evidenced by its limit of detection (LOD) of 0.23 copies/μL of HPV-16 DNA. The validity of this electrochemical platform was confirmed through the analysis of 40 cervical tissues samples, and the findings were consistent with those obtained through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Our straightforward electrochemical detection technology and quick turnaround time at 75 min make the assay suitable for point-of-care testing in low-resource settings.
Fulltext Complete Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica Bacteriophage PRF-SP1

Mutusamy P, Jaya Jothi S, Lee SY, Petersen B, Sicheritz-Ponten T, Clokie MRJ, et al.

Microbiol Resour Announc, 2021 Nov 24;10(47):e0096521.
PMID: 34817216 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00965-21

We characterized the complete genome sequence of the lytic Salmonella enterica bacteriophage PRF-SP1, isolated from Penang National Park, a conserved rainforest in northern Malaysia. The novel phage species from the Autographiviridae family has a 39,966-bp double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome containing 49 protein-encoding genes and shares 90.96% similarity with Escherichia phage DY1.
Fulltext Nutritional, Medicinal and Toxicological Attributes of Star-Fruits (Averrhoa carambola L.): A Review

Muthu N, Lee SY, Phua KK, Bhore SJ

Bioinformation, 2016;12(12):420-424.
PMID: 28405126 DOI: 10.6026/97320630012420

Plants are very complex organisms that produce medicinally important natural products. The Star-fruit producing plant (Averrhoa carambola L.) is a species of woody plant in the family Oxalidaceae native to the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka; but, cultivated in many parts of the world. Star-fruits are popular tropical fruits and used commonly in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) in India, China, and Brazil to relieve ailments such as chronic headache, fever, cough, gastro-enteritis, diarrhoea, ringworm infections, and skin inflammations. However, this fruit contains high amount of oxalate, which is hazardous for uremic patients, and caramboxin (CBX), which is neurotoxic. The aim of this review is to highlight the nutritional, medicinal and toxicological traits of the star-fruits.
Fulltext COVID-19 in the elderly: A Malaysian perspective

Mustaffa N, Lee SY, Mohd Nawi SN, Che Rahim MJ, Chee YC, Muhd Besari A, et al.

J Glob Health, 2020 Dec;10(2):020370.
PMID: 33214887 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.10.020370
Perioperative Outcome of Severe Idiopathic Scoliosis (Cobb Angle ≥ 90°): Is There Any Difference Between "Daytime" Versus "After-hours" Surgeries?

Mihara Y, Chung WH, Chiu CK, Hasan MS, Lee SY, Ch'ng PY, et al.

Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 2020 Mar 15;45(6):381-389.
PMID: 31574058 DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000003274

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study from a prospectively collected database.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative outcome between after-hours and daytime surgery carried out by a dedicated spinal deformity team for severe Idiopathic Scoliosis (IS) patients with Cobb angle ≥ 90°.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There were concerns that after-hours corrective surgeries in severe IS have higher morbidity compared to daytime surgeries.
METHODS: Seventy-one severe IS patients who underwent single-staged Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSF) were included. Surgeries performed between 08:00H and 16:59H were classified as "daytime" group and surgeries performed between 17:00H and 06:00H were classified as "after-hours" group. Perioperative outcome parameters were average operation start time and end time, operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin, blood transfusion rate, total patient-controlled anesthesia (PCA) morphine usage, length of postoperative hospitalization, and complications. Radiological variables assessed were preoperative and postoperative Cobb angle, side bending flexibility, number of fusion levels, number of screws used, Correction Rate, and Side Bending Correction Index.
RESULTS: Thirty patients were operated during daytime and 41 patients were operated after-hours. The mean age was 16.1 ± 5.8 years old. The mean operation start time for daytime group was 11:31 ± 2:45H versus 19:10 ± 1:24H for after-hours group. There were no significant differences between both groups in the operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, postoperative hemoglobin, hemoglobin drift, transfusion rate, length of postoperative hospitalization, postoperative Cobb angle, Correction Rate, and Side Bending Correction Index. There were four complications (1 SSEP loss, 1 massive blood loss, and 2 superficial wound infections) with no difference between daytime and after-hours group.
CONCLUSION: After-hours elective spine deformity corrective surgeries in healthy ambulatory patients with severe IS performed by a dedicated spinal deformity team using dual attending surgeon strategy were as safe as those performed during daytime.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.
Diversity and characterization of lignocellulolytic fungi isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunch, and identification of influencing factors of natural composting process

Md Tahir P, Liew WP, Lee SY, Ang AF, Lee SH, Mohamed R, et al.

Waste Manag, 2019 Dec;100:128-137.
PMID: 31536923 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.09.002

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) is the most significant waste generated from the agricultural industry in Malaysia. Composting is one of the potential approaches to utilize EFB. However, composting of EFB is a time-consuming process, thus impractical for industrial application. The composting process can be shortened by introducing competent fungi into an optimal EFB composting system. This study was conducted to isolate and identify competent fungi that can naturally compost EFB. Samplings were carried out at eight different time points over a 20-weeks experimental period. The physical properties of EFB samples such as pH, residual oil content, and moisture content were measured and the EFB composting process that was indicated by the contents of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin were assessed. The fungal growth, distribution, and lignocellulolytic enzyme activities were evaluated. The results indicated that the changes in physical properties of EFB were correlated to the fungal growth. The gradual reduction in moisture content and residual oil, and the increment in pH values in EFB samples throughout the experimental period resulted in reduced fungal growth and diversity. Such phenomenon delayed EFB composting process as revealed by the changes in EFB lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose contents. The most dominant and resilient fungi (Lichtheimia ramosa and Neurospora crassa) survived up to 16 weeks and were capable of producing various lignocellulolytic enzymes. Further understanding of these factors that would contribute to effective EFB composting could be useful for future industrial applications.

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links